The cost of education depends on the category of the educational institution. There are Catholic schools where education can be obtained completely free of charge.These schools are created for socially unprotected segments of the population, which cannot independently pay for the education of their children. As a rule, the certificates obtained in these institutions are not listed on the international education market and are suitable only for use within the country. These schools were created for socially unprotected segments of the population who cannot independently pay for the education of their children. As a rule, certificates obtained in these institutions are not listed on the international education market and are suitable only for use within the country.
Most schools in the Dominican Republic are paid. It can be just raising money for school uniforms, textbooks, or additional electives. Payments vary depending on the school and the age of the students. On average, they range from $ 50 (for junior high school students) to $ 100 per month (for high school students). There are schools certified by US universities, where fees reach $ 500-800 per month. The school bus is also paid separately.
Not all schools in the Dominican Republic are accredited by the Ministry of Education. A certificate from the ministry makes it possible to obtain a certificate that is quoted in almost any European country. With a document on graduation from an accredited Dominican school, you can enter any higher institution in the United States.
For admission to the school, a basic knowledge of Spanish is required, since all subjects will be taught in it. The second language is English, it comes as an additional language, and by the end of schooling, graduates are fluent in it.
Documents for a child entering a local educational institution must be translated into Spanish and properly verified.
The complete list looks like this:
• Child insurance
• Copy of birth certificate translated into English
• Medical card with vaccinations
• Internal passport of the Dominican Republic or a certificate from the migration service
• Original and copy of the document
• Copies of parents' passports
All copies must be submitted in duplicate, the first copies to remain with the school and the second copies to be submitted to the Ministry of Education. Documents are submitted in person or through a lawyer representing the interests of the family.
Although it is the Caribbean's largest tourist destination, the Dominican Republic is rich in culture, with special emphasis put on music and sports, especially baseball, making the Dominican Republic a great place to study abroad.The higher education system of the country of the Dominican Republic includes 33 universities and 620 study programs. Of these, 32 universities and 349 Bachelor programs, 24 universities and 213 Master programs and 7 universities and 58 PhD programs. Schools in the Dominican Republic offer special DELE preparation courses.
The Higher Education System in the Dominican Republic
Bachelor’s degree programs in the Dominican Republic last from three to five years. Programs in the technology and health fields last for no less than four years. In the case of medicine, programs usually last for six years, which includes a year of hospital internships. Specializations last for a year and master’s degree programs usually last for two years. The amount of doctorate degree programs are not very large. In general, these are offered in affiliation with universities abroad or are only available in specific areas, like medicine. It has five public higher education institutions, which include the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), the most important in the country. There are also around 40 private universities.
The Admissions Process at Universities in the Dominican Republic
The admissions process at Dominican universities depends on the institution. Public universities usually have entrance exams, but some private universities don’t have them.
In some cases, you’ll only have to fill out an application form online, submit the documents and wait for the results. This process may also include interviews. Before your admission process, make sure to complete the requirements or documents needed for your application. Usually, they will require you to present academic records, passports, and visa-related documents.
How Much Does it Cost to Study in the Dominican Republic for International Students?
The tuition fee at Dominican universities for international students may range from USD 1,500 to USD 5,000 annually. The exact fees depend on your degree, program and institution. Next, if we’re talking about the cost of living for international students, starting from accommodation, travel and food, it may range from USD 600 to USD 1,000. You can also prepare for language courses and other expenses in your chosen university.
Is Education Free for International Students at Dominican Universities?
No. International students are required to pay the tuition and other educational fees in the Dominican Republic. The free tuition fees are only applicable for local students.On a brighter side, scholarships are open to international students. In each university, you can check for scholarships that are open to both local and international students.
The Language of Instruction at Dominican Universities
The official language in this country is Spanish; therefore, that’s the language of instruction at most universities. Finding a program that is entirely taught in English will be hard, especially at public universities. So, this is a good destination for those who want to learn Spanish or already speak it.
There are a few international campuses in the country that have programs in English or universities with assistance in this language. We’ll only include universities that have information available in English in our list.
Tuition Fees at Dominican Universities
As we mentioned above, public universities are completely funded by the state, so they are free for local students. Tuition fees for international students at public and private universities are usually between 1,500 USD to 5,000 USD. It depends on the way the university calculates fees, which could be per year, per semester, or every four months. Compared to universities in other countries, the universities in the Dominican Republic are very cheap.
Living Costs in the Dominican Republic
The official currency of this country is the Dominican Peso (DOP). As for 2019,10,000 DOP is around 192 USD.
Depending on the area, renting a one-bedroom apartment can cost between 200 USD and 450 USD. Prices rise significantly close to the city center and in most tourist areas. In the case of transportation, if you use public transportation, your budget should be around 40 USD per month.
As for food, you should budget between 100 USD to 160 USD if you live alone. Some products are affordable, like vegetables in local markets, but many things are imported.
Cheap Universities in the Dominican Republic
1. Santo Domingo Institute of Technology (INTEC)
Established almost 50 years ago, the Santo Domingo Institute of Technology (INTEC) is a private higher institution located in the capital city. This cheap university in the Dominican Republic offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the areas of health sciences, engineering, economy and businesses, basic and environmental sciences, and social sciences and humanities. They also have international programs in affiliation with universities in the U.S. in the areas of engineering. For post-graduate international programs, they are affiliated with universities in Puerto Rico, Spain, and Costa Rica. The admissions process includes submitting all the documents listed here and taking an academic entrance exam and an English exam. The last one is not required if you have an English proficiency certificate. Tuition fees are calculated per trimester. For international students, the cost per trimester plus registration and laboratories is 17,200 DOP (330 USD approx.).
2. Technological Institute of the Americas (ITLA)
Founded almost 20 years ago in 200, the Technological Institute of the Americas (ITLA) offers short majors, courses, and certificates. This affordable university in the Dominican Republic has programs that last from two to three years with an additional internship. They are specialized in the field of technology, in areas such as manufacturing, software, networks, and data sciences, among others. This institute has residences for 280 students, which cost between 2,500 and 3,500 DOP per month. It also has its own system of transportation. Besides submitting the required documents, admissions include an entrance exam, an English exam, and a math course. Tuition fees are calculated according to credits. Programs are divided into periods of four months, and payments are divided into three installments. Programs have between 126 to 181 credits, and each credit costs 520 DOP (10 USD). This means that the total cost of programs is between 65,520 DOP (1,300 USD) 94,120 DOP (1,810 USD).
3. Charles Bekeev International University (CBIU)
The Charles Bekeev International University (CBIU) is an international higher institution with three campuses in the U.K., Nigeria, and the Dominican Republic. Programs at this cheap university in the Dominican Republic were designed by following the British model, and most of the materials and books used are also British. The campus in Puerto Plata is a Business School that grants bachelor’s degrees in International Business Management, Leadership and Management, Social Policy, and Sociology, among others. The admissions process is very simple. Students only have to submit the required documents, fill out an online form, and wait for the results. If the student gets an offer of admission, they will have to go through an interview to be admitted. Tuition fees are expressed in British Pounds (GBP). Undergraduate degree programs cost 2,500 GBP (3,080 USD approx.) per year. Master's degree programs cost 3,000 GBP (3,700 USD approx.) per course, and Ph.D. programs cost 5,000 GBP (6,200 USD approx.) per course.
What do you need to prepare?
The government of Dominican Republic also offers several scholarship opportunities to the International Students. In order to apply for an academic vacancy in Dominican Republic, students must have following documents-
- ID documents
- Academic credentials.
- Proof of Medical Insurance
- Proof of accommodation.
- Evidence of financial resources.
- Health Report
All applications for international students wishing to study in the Dominican Republic are made online. After completing an online application then you have to wait for a response from the institution which will shortlist you if you meet all the requirements.
There is a huge range of courses which are offered at graduate and undergraduate levels in the institutions. The courses like Medicine, Business, Management and Design are well known in the country.
The government of Dominican Republic also offers several scholarship opportunities to the International Students.
In order to apply for an academic vacancy in Dominican Republic, students must have following documents.
Documents and Requirements
1) Two recent Passport- Size Photographs
2) Applicant’s Birth Certificate in English.
3) Applicant’s mark sheets and certificates.
4) TOFEL and IELTS score certificate whichever is applicable in the concerned educational institute
5) Fill in your application for a study permit carefully and completely
6) Type or print clearly, using black ink
7) Answer all questions carefully, completely, and truthfully. Incomplete application packages will not be processed but will be returned to you.
8) After the visa office receives your application, it might request more information or documents. These may include the following:
a) Medical information: To get medical clearance, you will need to undergo a medical examination. A visa officer will send you instructions if you need a medical examination. This process needs to be followed will require a longer processing time of your application(additional 3 months)
b) The student visa has to be obtained whilst you are in your country of origin. However, it is always advisable to check updated information on visa requirements in case there are any changes.
STUDENT VISA (E)
- visa form filled out and duly completed by typewriter or in legible print. Available at the headquarters of the consular offices or in the service portal.
- Visa application letter addressed to the consular office by the interested party or his representative, requesting the student visa, indicating name and nationality.
- One photograph size 4 x 5 centimeters, front and white background.
- Original passport with a minimum validity of six months.
- Legible photocopy of the Residence Card.
- Birth certificate. It must be submitted in original duly legalized or apostilled, as appropriate. If it is written in a language other than Spanish, it must be translated by a court interpreter, legalized by the Consulate of the Dominican Republic or apostilled, as appropriate. The original and the translation must be deposited, both legalized or apostilled.
Certificate of No Criminal Record (Not required for minors) issued by the competent authority of the countries in which you have resided in the last 5 years, duly legalized or apostilled, as appropriate.
Financial support from who will cover the studies, can be demonstrated by one of these cases:
Parents or Guardians.
- Document accrediting the scholarship from the institution that will pay for the studies.
These documents must specify the amount of financial support or scholarship awarded, as well as the duration for which it has been provided. In both cases, this certificate must be written on letterhead and certified by the corresponding institution, duly translated into Spanish, legalized or apostilled as appropriate.
- Medical certification that the petitioner does not have contagious infectious diseases.
- Dominican visas and those of other countries in force or expired.
Certification of acceptance by the University and/or Institution in the Dominican Republic that endorses any of these concepts:
New University admission.
- Religious: Application letter from the superior of the highest hierarchy in your church, indicating that you are coming to pursue religious / theological studies within your recognized congregation in the country.
- Internship: Copy of the agreement between the foreign study center and the Dominican institution.
